About the WDN
Welcome to the Women’s Dental Network! The WDN is a study club for Manitoba’s female dentists to socialize, have fun, and share dental knowledge. Our goal is to be Manitoba’s leading resource for connecting, supporting and advancing our province’s female dentists. Join us today!
Meet Our Executive Board
Dr. Catalena Birek — DDS PhD FRCD(C)
Dr. Catalena Birek is a specialist in Oral Pathology (Diploma in Oral Pathology, University of Toronto, Canada, 1985; FRCD(C), 2004), and a PhD in Cell Biology (University of Toronto Canada 1982). She has served as an educator of undergraduate and graduate dental students at the University of Toronto 1988–1993, and the University of Manitoba 1993–2016; in the position of full professor since 2002.
Dr. Birek has published numerous peer reviewed papers in basic as well as clinical science journals, and presented scholarly papers at numerous Canadian and international meetings; held continuing dental education courses, served in the Faculty of Dentistry Oral Pathology Biopsy.
She served in several Canadian professional organizations at the leadership level — including the Presidency of The Canadian Academy of Oral Maxillofacial Pathology and Medicine; and served as a reviewer for peer reviewed journals, and as an editorial advisor for the Canadian Dental Association Journal. Dr. Birek maintains a private practice in clinical Oral Pathology.
Dr. Meredith Brownlee — BSc, DMD, MDS
Meredith Brownlee is an Oral and Maxillofacial Radiologist. She obtained her specialty training at the University of Connecticut. She is a member of several professional associations including the Royal College of Dentists of Canada, and the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology.
She is a full time assistant professor at the College of Dentistry and maintains a private practice interpreting radiographic images via the University of Manitoba, as well as for imaging centres in Alberta and Ontario.
Dr. Carla Cohn — DMD
Carla Cohn is a general dentist, devoted solely to the practice of dentistry for children. She is a member of several associations, boards and study groups. Dr. Cohn is a fellow of the Pierre Fauchard Academy.
She maintains a private practice at Kids Dental in Winnipeg. As well, she is a part time clinical instructor at the University of Manitoba Dental Faculty. She is President of the Manitoba Dental Association for 2016–2017. Her clinical articles have been published in several North American dental journals and she enjoys speaking nationally and abroad on all aspects of Children’s Dentistry for the general practitioner
Dr. Catherine Dale — DMD, Dip OMFS
Dr. Catherine Dale graduated from the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Dentistry in 1992. She then spent a year working as a general dentist at Winnipeg’s Health Sciences Centre, where she completed a one-year Dental Internship program in 1993. During her internship year, she furthered her training in the treatment of a more medically challenged patient population, including oncologic and special needs adult patients. It was during this time that she worked alongside the surgeons and surgical residents involved in the Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery residency training program; following her internship year, she entered the four-year residency program herself. Dr. Dale has been a practicing Oral & Maxillofacial surgeon since completion of her residency program at the University of Manitoba in 1997.
Dr. Dale maintains a private practise in OMFS, where she enjoys a mainly dentoalveolar practise. She also teaches at the University of Manitoba’s College of Dentistry, in both undergraduate and graduate level programs. Dr. Dale holds hospital privileges within the WRHA and operates at several hospitals within the region to provide care for both adult and paediatric patients, in both outpatient clinic and operating room settings. She enjoys involvement in organized Dentistry at both provincial and national levels: she is a board member of both the Manitoba Dental Association and the Canadian Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, and will become the President of the MDA in 2017, followed by the President of the CAOMS in 2018. Dr. Dale was appointed by the WRHA and currently serves as the Regional Lead for OMFS. Dr. Dale has been married to her husband Jonathon since 1992; they have two sons who keep them very busy!
Dr. Anastasia Kelekis-Cholakis — BA, DMD, Dip Perio
Dr. Anastasia Kelekis-Cholakis obtained her BA in 1988 and her DMD and Diploma in Periodontics from the University of Manitoba in 1992 and 1998. She received her implant training at the Misch institute in Pittsburg.
Dr. Kelekis-Cholakis is a fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada and a member of the Canadian and American Academy of Periodontists and the Canadian Dental Association. She is the founder of the Southwest Specialty Group.
She is also the Division Head of Periodontics and the Director of the Graduate Periodontal Program at the University of Manitoba, College of Dentistry. She lectures nationally and internationally, has received numerous teaching awards, has published articles in peer-reviewed journals and authored book chapters.
Dr. Simona Pesun — BSc, BScDent, DMD, MSc, FRCD(C), Diplomate ABE
Dr. Simona Pesun is a 1997 graduate of the University of Manitoba. After practicing general dentistry for 3 years, she went on to graduate school to complete a residency program in the specialty of Endodontics. She graduated with both a Certificate of Endodontics, and a Masters of Science degree from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry.
She is a fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada, a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics, and a member of the College of Diplomates. She is a Specialist Member of the Canadian Academy of Endodontics and the American Association of Endodontists.
She is currently a part-time instructor at the University of Manitoba, and president-elect of the Canadian Academy of Endodontics. (President after September 17th, 2016.)
Dr. Rana Shenkarow — BScDent, DMD, MSc (Ortho), FRCDC
Dr. Rana Shenkarow is a Certified Specialist in Orthodontics. She graduated with both Bachelor of Science (Dent) and DMD degrees from the University of Manitoba in 1997. She went on to complete a one-year internship in pediatric dentistry at Winnipeg’s Children’s Hospital. She completed postgraduate training in Orthodontics at the University of Toronto in 2001 and graduated with a Master of Science degree.
Dr. Shenkarow achieved board certification as a fellow of the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Canada and came home to Winnipeg to start her private practice, Linden Ridge Orthodontics, over sixteen years ago. Dr. Shenkarow’s interests are in running a happy office, and patient centered interdisciplinary care. She has been a clinical instructor at the University of Manitoba and is currently an active member of many professional organizations including the Manitoba Dental Association, Canadian Association of Orthodontics, American Association of Orthodontics, Alpha Omega Dental Fraternity, Winnipeg Dental Society, and the University of Toronto Alumni Association. She is married, and her proudest achievement is being a mom to three fantastic kids.
Dr. Charlene Solomon — BChD, MScDent, MChD, FRCD(C)
Dr. Solomon is a prosthodontist and Assistant Professor in the Restorative Department, University of Manitoba. She completed her undergraduate dental studies, a masters of dental science (MScDent) degree in Oral Medicine & Periodontology and specialty prosthodontic training at the University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa.
She currently teaches preclinical fixed prosthodontics and is an instructor for both fixed and removable prosthodontics in the general practice dentistry clinic. She has published several articles in peer- reviewed journals and is involved in continuing dental education. As a Fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada, she is involved in private practice in the city of Winnipeg. She is a member of various professional organizations, including the American College of Prosthodontics and the American Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics.
Dr. Vanessa Swain — DMD, MSc
A 1999 graduate of the University of Manitoba College of Dentistry, Dr. Vanessa Swain completed her specialty training in Prosthodontics and MSc at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in 2003. She is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Restorative Dentistry, University of Manitoba with a clinical and teaching focus in fixed prosthodontics.
Dr. Swain has published several articles in peer-reviewed journals and participated in the development and presentation of continuing dental education courses. She also consults with the Manitoba Centre for Craniofacial Differences, participates in the assessment of clinical skills of international dentists for the National Dental Examining Board of Canada and is an active member of the American Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics.